Reconciling with Post Sabbatical Life

Where to start? Clearly I have no idea as it has been nearly four months since we set foot back stateside. I’ve started this post numerous times and each time, it’s proved challenging. As we anticipated the first few weeks were emotionally exhausting with balancing the excitement of seeing friends and family with the realization that our sabbatical adventure had come to an end.

The thought of sitting down to blog again, well, it’s hard. It’s not lost on us that when we set out cooking around the world our goal was to introduce Mr. N and Miss A to cultures and histories around the world. We did that – and then some. The lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that have resulted from our little space on the internet are immeasurable. But the trip is past, our lives are busy, the kids are growing…So now what? Where do we go from here?

Well, I suppose we should first start with where we’ve been….img_4935

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Final Power Rankings

By Mike

Time for some Power Rankings.  Pick your favorite.  OK, this should be easy.  Let’s start with the MVP, Kris Bryant.  But what about the team leader.  Anthony Rizzo.  Then why do I want someone else’s number on my jersey.  Addison Russell.   How about the NLCS MVP?  Javy Baez, Jon Lester.  No, can’t have a tie for the top spot.  World Series MVP Ben Zobrist?  Ah, the heck with this, let’s rank something easier.

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A Pot of Gold – Rioja, Spain

By Chef Dad

In Spain, we were generally blessed with sunny weather, but for our visit to Rioja, we had partly cloudy skies and scattered drizzle. Nevertheless, we had Hawaii-quantity and Hawaii-quality rainbows, so we didn’t mind. And Rioja was our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

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Roundabouts

I have an innate need to travel. I always have, but it hasn’t always been as straightforward as that. Despite a need to see the world, wanting to do big things and wanting to live like a nomad, I was also prone to intense homesickness. Continue reading

The Rhythm of the Night

By Chef Dad

Greetings from Spain!  Kristy has been known to throw in the occasional YouTube link to an old pop song, and while I’ve got the keys to the blog, it seems only fair to keep up the tradition.  (Side note: I let the VEVO channel keep running in the background, spinning ’80s pop tunes and within about four songs I got Rick-rolled.)  But today’s song is, I think, a pretty good one to have stuck in your head. Continue reading